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{{Refimprove|date=July 2011}} {{Refimprove|date=July 2011}}
{{Infobox broadcast| {{Infobox broadcast|
call_letters = WCCO-TV| call_letters = WCCO-TV|
city = Minneapolis, Minnesota| city = Minneapolis, Minnesota|
station_logo = ]| station_logo = ]|
station_slogan = Minnesota's Most Watched Station| station_slogan = ''Minnesota's Most Watched Station''|
station_branding = WCCO Channel 4,<br>WCCO, CCO <small>(general)</small><br>WCCO 4 News <small>(newscasts)</small>| station_branding = WCCO Channel 4,<br>WCCO, CCO <small>(general)</small><br>WCCO 4 News <small>(newscasts)</small>|
digital = 32 (])<br>]: 4 (])<ref name="FCC"></ref>|
analog = |
subchannels = 4.1 ]|
digital = 32 (])<br>]: 4 (])<ref name="FCC"></ref>|
other_chs = ]|
subchannels = 4.1 ]|
affiliations = ]|
other_chs = ]|
affiliations = ]| airdate = {{start date and age|1949|07|01}}|
location = ]–]|
network = |
callsign_meaning = '''W'''ashburn-'''C'''rosby '''CO'''mpany (precursor of ]) and taken from its ]|
founded = |
former_callsigns = WTCN-TV (1949–1952)|
airdate = {{start date and age|1949|07|01}}|
former affiliations = |
location = ] - ]|
former_channel_numbers = '''Analog:'''<br>4 (], 1949–2009)|
callsign_meaning = '''W'''ashburn-'''C'''rosby '''CO'''mpany (precursor of ]) and taken from its ]|
former_callsigns = WTCN-TV (1949–1952)| owner = ]|
licensee = CBS Broadcasting, Inc.|
former affiliations = |
sister_stations = ], ], ]|
former_channel_numbers = '''Analog:'''<br>4 (], 1949-2009)|
effective_radiated_power = 1000 kW<ref name="FCC" />|
owner = ]|
licensee = CBS Broadcasting, Inc.| HAAT = 432 m<ref name="FCC" />|
sister_stations = ], ], ]| class = |
effective_radiated_power = 1000 kW<ref name="FCC" />| facility_id = 9629<ref name="FCC" />|
coordinates = {{Coord|45|3|44|N|93|8|21|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}|
HAAT = 432 m<ref name="FCC" />|
licensing_authority = ]|
class = |
homepage = |
facility_id = 9629<ref name="FCC" />|
coordinates = {{Coord|45|3|44|N|93|8|21|W|type:landmark_scale:2000}}|
licensing_authority = ]|
homepage = |
}} }}


'''WCCO-TV''', channel 4, is an ] ] of the ], licensed to ], ] and serving the ] "Twin Cities" area. WCCO-TV's studios are located in downtown Minneapolis, and its transmitter is at the ] complex in ]. '''WCCO-TV''', ] 4, is a ] ] ] that is licensed to ], ] and serving the ] television market. The station is owned by the ] subsidiary of ]. WCCO-TV's studios are located in downtown Minneapolis, and its transmitter is located at the ] complex in ].


== History == == History ==
{{expandsection|further information on the history of WCCO-TV, outside of ownership transactions|date=May 2013}}
{{refimprove section|section|date=July 2011}} {{refimprove section|section|date=July 2011}}
] ]
WCCO-TV's roots originate with a radio station but not one with which it is affiliated today. ], which took to the air in 1925, is the station to which WCCO-TV traces its lineage. In 1934, two newspapers&mdash;the '']'' and the '']''&mdash;formed a joint venture named "Twin Cities Newspapers," which purchased the radio station and changed its call letters to WTCN. Twin Cities Newspapers later expanded into the then-new medium of television with the launch of '''WTCN-TV''' on July 1, 1949 as Minnesota's second television station, broadcasting from the Radio City Theater at 50 South 9th Street in downtown Minneapolis. WCCO-TV's roots originate with a radio station, but not one with which it is affiliated today. Radio station ] (0000 AM), which signed on the air in 1925, is the station to which WCCO-TV traces its lineage. In 1934, two newspapers – the '']'' and the '']'' – formed a joint venture named "Twin Cities Newspapers", which purchased the radio station and changed its call letters to WTCN. Twin Cities Newspapers later expanded into the then-new medium of television with the launch of '''WTCN-TV''' on July 1, 1949 as Minnesota's second television station, broadcasting from the Radio City Theater at 50 South 9th Street in downtown Minneapolis.


When Twin Cities Newspapers sold its radio holdings—WTCN (now ]) and WTCN-FM (now ]) -- in 1952, it was able to buy the much stronger and dominant ] (830 AM). A new company, ], was created to do this, with ] as a minority partner with the radio station. The call letters of channel 4 were changed to the present '''WCCO-TV''' to match its new radio sister. (The WTCN-TV call sign would later be picked up by what is now ].)<ref>http://llnw.static.cbslocal.com/station/wcco/community/09_0827_community_WCCOtimeline.pdf Retrieved 2011-7-22</ref> CBS was forced to sell its minority share in WCCO radio in 1954 to comply with ] ownership limits of the time. The network did not own any portion of WCCO-TV until 1992, when it acquired the broadcast holdings of Midwest Radio and Television.<ref>http://www.thefreelibrary.com/CBS+ACQUIRES+TELEVISION+AND+RADIO+STATIONS+FROM+MIDWEST+COMMUNICATIONS-a011880751 Retrieved 2011-8-21</ref> When Twin Cities Newspapers sold its radio holdings – WTCN (now ]) and WTCN-FM (now ]) – in 1952, it was able to buy the much stronger and dominant ] (830 AM). A new company, ], was created to do this, with ] as a minority partner with the radio station. The call letters of channel 4 were changed to the present '''WCCO-TV''' to match its new radio sister (the WTCN-TV call sign would later be picked up by what is now ]).<ref>http://llnw.static.cbslocal.com/station/wcco/community/09_0827_community_WCCOtimeline.pdf Retrieved 2011-7-22</ref> CBS was forced to sell its minority ownership stake in WCCO radio in 1954 to comply with ] ownership limits of the time. The network did not own any portion of WCCO-TV until 1992, when it acquired the broadcast holdings of Midwest Radio and Television.<ref>http://www.thefreelibrary.com/CBS+ACQUIRES+TELEVISION+AND+RADIO+STATIONS+FROM+MIDWEST+COMMUNICATIONS-a011880751 Retrieved 2011-8-21</ref>

Since the May 2006 ratings period, WCCO's newscasts in total household ratings for most news programs. The exception has been mornings, where ] still leads all local competitors. In main demographic groups, WCCO usually comes in second place. May 2009 showed a third place finish behind KSTP at 5:00 p.m.<ref>http://newsblaze.com/story/2009052113384100004.mwir/topstory.html</ref>


==Digital television== ==Digital television==
===Digital channel===
{| class="wikitable" {| class="wikitable"
|- |-
Line 54: Line 51:
|- |-
|} |}

===Analog-to-digital conversion===
WCCO-TV shut down its analog signal on June 12, 2009 as part of the ]. The station remained on its pre-transition ] channel 32,<ref name="Analog to Digital"></ref> using ] to display WCCO's ] as 4, in correspondence to its former analog channel frequency, on digital television receivers.


==Satellite stations and translators== ==Satellite stations and translators==
Line 95: Line 95:
|} |}


Both of these stations were founded by the '''Central Minnesota Television Company''' and were affiliated with ] (primary) and ] (secondary) from their sign-on dates until the summer of 1982, when they switched to CBS.<ref>"] decides to go it alone." '']'', February 22, 1982, pg. 72. </ref><ref></ref> KCMT broadcasted from a studio in Alexandria, with KNMT operating as a satellite station of KCMT. Central Minnesota Television sold both stations to Midwest Radio and Television in 1987, at which point they adopted their present call letters and became semi-satellites of WCCO-TV.<ref>Washington, D.C. ]. ''FCC Record'', Vol. 02, No. 22, pp. 6730-6732, Oct 23-Nov. 6, 1987. UNT Digital Library. . Accessed June 28, 2012.</ref> Both of these stations were founded by the Central Minnesota Television Company and maintained primary affiliations with ] and secondary affiliations with ] from their respective sign-ons until the summer of 1982, when both stations switched to CBS.<ref>"] decides to go it alone." '']'', February 22, 1982, pg. 72. </ref><ref></ref> KCMT had originally broadcast from a studio in Alexandria, with KNMT operating as a satellite station of KCMT. Central Minnesota Television sold both stations to Midwest Radio and Television in 1987, at which point they adopted their present call letters and became semi-satellites of WCCO-TV.<ref>Washington, D.C. ]. ''FCC Record'', Vol. 02, No. 22, pp. 6730-6732, Oct 23-Nov. 6, 1987. UNT Digital Library. . Accessed June 28, 2012.</ref>


Until 2002, they simulcasted WCCO-TV most of the day, except for separate commercials and inserts placed into channel 4's newscasts. However, in 2002, WCCO-TV ended KCCO/KCCW's local operations and shut down the Alexandria studio, converting the two stations into full-time satellites. Since then, channel 4 has identified as "Minneapolis-St. Paul/Alexandria/Walker," with virtually no on-air evidence that KCCO and KCCW were separate stations. In addition, the broadcast signal of WCCO-TV is extended by way of six ] in southern Minnesota and one in northern Minnesota. All but one broadcast in digital. Until 2002, the two stations simulcast WCCO-TV's programming for most of the day, except for separate commercials and inserts placed into channel 4's newscasts. However, in 2002, WCCO-TV ended KCCO/KCCW's local operations and shut down the Alexandria studio, converting the two stations into full-time satellites. Since then, channel 4 has identified as "Minneapolis-St. Paul/Alexandria/Walker", with virtually no on-air evidence that KCCO and KCCW were separate stations.


In addition, the broadcast signal of WCCO-TV is extended by way of six ] in southern Minnesota and one in northern Minnesota; all but one broadcasts in digital:
* '''K33LB-D''' 33 ]
{| class="wikitable"
* '''K35IU-D''' 35 ]
|-
* '''K35IZ-D''' 35 ]
! City of license
* '''K41IZ-D''' 41 ]
! Callsign
* '''K46AC-D''' 46 ]
! Channel
* '''K49LO-D''' 49 ]
|-
* '''K51AL-D''' 51 ]
|| ] || || 35
|-
|| ] || || 35
|-
|| ] || || 51
|-
|| ] || || 49
|-
|| ] || || 33
|-
|| ] || || 41
|-
|| ] || || 46
|-
|}

==News operation==
{{expandsection|information on the history of WCCO's news department|date=May 2013}}
WCCO presently broadcasts 28 hours of locally produced newscasts each week (with 4½ hours on weekdays, 3½ hours on Saturdays and two hours on Sundays). In addition, the station produces a half-hour sports highlight program on Sunday evenings after the 10 p.m. newscast called ''Rosen's Sports Sunday'', which is hosted by ] Mark Rosen.

Since the May 2006 ratings period, WCCO's newscasts in total household ratings for most news programs. The exception has been mornings, where ] still leads all local competitors. In main demographic groups, WCCO usually comes in second place. May 2009 showed a third place finish behind KSTP at 5:00 p.m.<ref>http://newsblaze.com/story/2009052113384100004.mwir/topstory.html</ref>


==On-air staff== ==On-air staff==
===News music packages=== ===Current on-air staff===
WCCO's primary news anchors include Mike Binkley (weekday mornings and weekdays at noon), Matt Brickman (Saturday mornings; also weekday reporter), Liz Collin (weekend evenings; also reporter), Angela Davis (weekday mornings and weekdays at noon), ] (Sundays at 5:30 and 10 p.m.; also "Good Question" feature reporter and occasional general assignment reporter), Edward Moody (Saturdays at 5, 6 and 10 p.m.; also weekday reporter), Esme Murphy (Sunday mornings; also reporter), Amelia Santaniello (weeknights at 5, 6 and 10 p.m.), Frank Vascellaro (weeknights at 5, 6 and 10 p.m.) and Jamie Yuccas (Saturday mornings; also reporter).<ref name=team></ref>
*''Part of Your Life'' by Mayoham Music (19??–19??)
*''WCCO 1978 News Theme'' by unknown composer (1978–19??)
*'']'' by Mayoham Music (19??–19??)
*''WCCO 1983 News Theme'' by unknown composer (19??–19??)
*''WCCO 1990 News Theme'' by unknown composer (19??–19??)
*''Everyday Music Package'' by Wow & Flutter (1990–1993)
*''WCCO 1993 News Theme'' by unknown composer (1993–19??)
*''KCBS News Theme'' by Michael Randall Music (1997–1998)
*''Newschannel'' by ] (1998–2000)
*''Advantage'' by Gari Media Group (2000–2003)
*''Interceptor'' by ] (2003–2005)
*''Hometown Community'' by In The Groove Music (2005–2009)
*''WCCO News Theme'' by P.J. Tracy Music (2009–2011)
*''The CBS Enforcer Music Collection'' by Gari Media Group (2011–present)


The WCCO weather team includes chief meteorologist Chris Shaffer (] ] Seal of Approval; weeknights at 5, 6 and 10 p.m.), meteorologists Mike Augustyniak (AMS Seal of Approval; weekday mornings and weekdays at noon), Lauren Casey (AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist Seal of Approval; weekend evenings) and Matt Brickman (weekend mornings; also reporter), and weather watcher Jackson Jordan.<ref name=team/>
===Former on-air staff===
*] - children's television personality "Axel" (1954–1966)
*]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://wcco.com/local/bill.carlson.anchor.2.666427.html|title=WCCO Anchor Bill Carlson Dies At Age 73|accessdate=2008-03-01|date=2008-02-29 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080303045246/http://wcco.com/local/bill.carlson.anchor.2.666427.html |archivedate = 2008-03-03}}</ref> - entertainment reporter, midday news anchor (deceased)
*] - weekday morning meteorologist
*Mary Davies - host of children's shows (as "Carmen The Nurse") <ref name="MSP">http://en.wikipedia.org/List_of_local_children's_television_series_(United_States)#Minneapolis.2FSt._Paul</ref>
*] - morning anchor (2002-2004); now evening anchor ] in ]
*] - chief meteorologist (1997–2008); now does weather for ]
*Mike Fairbourne - meteorologist (1977-2011)
*John Gallos - host of children's shows as "Clancy The Cop" and other characters,<ref name="MSP" /> host of weekly Laurel & Hardy films program, host of public service programs and staff announcer
*] - sports anchor
*Bud Kraehling - Weather and Staff Announcer (1946 - 1996) <ref>http://www.pavekmuseum.org/Kraehling.htm</ref>
*Allan Lotsberg - host of children's shows as "Willie Ketchum" <ref name="MSP"/>
*Pat Miles - news anchor
*] news anchor (1950s-1998; deceased)
*Ron Trenda - Meteorologist
* Hal Scott - sports anchor '60s-1980 <ref name="startribune.com">http://www.startribune.com/obituaries/103681189.html Star-Tribune September 23, 2010</ref>
* Ray Scott - sports '60s-'70s <ref name="startribune.com"/>
*]<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://backissues.cjrarchives.org/year/97/2/minneapolis.asp
| title = Ruling a Prizewinner Unfair
| accessdate = 2007-12-11
| year = 1997
| last = Oslund
| first = John J.}}</ref> news anchor (retired)
*] - sports anchor/reporter; now with ]
*] - meteorologist (2005–2006)
*Jeanette Trompeter


The WCCO sports team includes sports director Mark Rosen (Monday-Thursdays at 5, 6 and 10 and Sundays at 10 p.m.; also host of ''Rosen's Sports Sunday'') and sports anchor Mike Max (Fridays and Saturdays at 5, 6 and 10 and Sundays at 5:30 p.m.). Eric Nelson serves as a fill-in sports anchor, and Dave McCoy serves as a sports reporter and fill-in sports anchor).<ref name=team/>
==Notable alumni==
<!-- Please note, if adding names to this section, unless they are sourced, or have Misplaced Pages articles already, they are not notable enough to add here. See this article's talk page for more information. -->


The station's general assignment reporters are Aristea Brady, Reg Chapman, Bill Hudson (evening reporter), John Lauritsen, Susan Elizabeth Littlefield, James Schugel (5 and 6 p.m. weekday reporter), Kate Raddatz, Rachel Slavik and Holly Wagner (weekday morning and noon reporter). Specialty reporters are Pat Kessler (political and "Reality Check" feature reporter) and Natalie Nyhus (weekday morning traffic reporter; also fill-in weekday morning anchor).<ref name=team/>
Many of WCCO-TV's on-air talent went on to the networks:

* Jim Anderson, producer (to CBS)<ref name="books.google.com">http://books.google.com/books?id=mPxHBfonthgC&lpg=PA70&ots=PghfvklwAv&dq=quent%20neufeld%20cbs%20wcco&pg=PA70#v=onepage&q=quent%20neufeld%20cbs%20wcco&f=false "Best Seat in the House: Mark Rosen’s Sports Moments and Minnesota Memories" by Mark Rosen, 2012, pages 70-71</ref>
===Notable former on-air staff===
* Karen Boros (to CBS) <ref>http://www.minnpost.com/author/karen-boros</ref>
{{div col|cols=2|colwidth=30em}}
* Jerry Bowen (to CBS) <ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-18564_162-524785.html | work=CBS News | title=Jerry Bowen}}</ref>
<!-- Please note, if adding names to this section, unless they are sourced, or have Misplaced Pages articles already, they are not notable enough to add here. See this article's talk page for more information. -->
* Jim Anderson - producer (later with CBS)<ref name="books.google.com">http://books.google.com/books?id=mPxHBfonthgC&lpg=PA70&ots=PghfvklwAv&dq=quent%20neufeld%20cbs%20wcco&pg=PA70#v=onepage&q=quent%20neufeld%20cbs%20wcco&f=false "Best Seat in the House: Mark Rosen’s Sports Moments and Minnesota Memories" by Mark Rosen, 2012, pages 70-71</ref>
* Karen Boros (later with CBS)<ref>http://www.minnpost.com/author/karen-boros</ref>
* Jerry Bowen (now with CBS)<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-18564_162-524785.html | work=CBS News | title=Jerry Bowen}}</ref>
* ] - children's television personality "Axel" (1954–1966)
* ]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://wcco.com/local/bill.carlson.anchor.2.666427.html|title=WCCO Anchor Bill Carlson Dies At Age 73|accessdate=2008-03-01|date=2008-02-29 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080303045246/http://wcco.com/local/bill.carlson.anchor.2.666427.html |archivedate = 2008-03-03}}</ref> - entertainment reporter, midday news anchor (deceased)
* ] - weekday morning meteorologist
* Mary Davies - host of children's shows (as "Carmen The Nurse") <ref name="MSP">http://en.wikipedia.org/List_of_local_children's_television_series_(United_States)#Minneapolis.2FSt._Paul</ref>
* ] - morning anchor (2002–2004; now evening anchor ] in ])
* ] - chief meteorologist (1997–2008; now does weather for ])
* Sam Ford (to CBS then ], Washington, DC)<ref>http://www.abc7dc.com/talentbios/getbio.cfm?id=8</ref> * Sam Ford (to CBS then ], Washington, DC)<ref>http://www.abc7dc.com/talentbios/getbio.cfm?id=8</ref>
* John Gallos - host of children's shows as "Clancy The Cop" and other characters,<ref name="MSP" /> host of weekly Laurel & Hardy films program, host of public service programs and staff announcer
* Phil Jones (to CBS) <ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=mPxHBfonthgC&lpg=PA17&pg=PA23#v=onepage&q&f=false "Best Seat in the House: Mark Rosen’s Sports Moments and Minnesota Memories"
* ] - sports anchor
 by Mark Rosen, 2012, page 23</ref>
* Phil Jones (to CBS) <ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=mPxHBfonthgC&lpg=PA17&pg=PA23#v=onepage&q&f=false "Best Seat in the House: Mark Rosen’s Sports Moments and Minnesota Memories" by Mark Rosen, 2012, page 23</ref>
* Randi Kaye (to CNN)<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cnn.com/CNN/anchors_reporters/kaye.randi.html | title=CNN TV - Anchors/Reporters:Randi Kaye}}</ref>
* Don Kladstrup (to CBS and ABC)<ref>http://www.startribune.com/printarticle/?id=11407096</ref> * Bud Kraehling - weather anchor/staff announcer (1946–1996)<ref>http://www.pavekmuseum.org/Kraehling.htm</ref>
* Randi Kaye (now with CNN)<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cnn.com/CNN/anchors_reporters/kaye.randi.html | title=CNN TV - Anchors/Reporters:Randi Kaye}}</ref>
* Skip Loescher (to CNN)<ref>http://tcmedianow.com/video/wcco-10pm-report-from-december-6-1983-dave-moore-pat-miles-skip-loescher-mike-fairbourne-mark-rosen/</ref>
* Bob McNamara (to CBS)<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-18564_162-524915.html | work=CBS News | title=Bob McNamara}}</ref> * Don Kladstrup (later with CBS and ABC)<ref>http://www.startribune.com/printarticle/?id=11407096</ref>
* Skip Loescher (now with CNN)<ref>http://tcmedianow.com/video/wcco-10pm-report-from-december-6-1983-dave-moore-pat-miles-skip-loescher-mike-fairbourne-mark-rosen/</ref>
* Quent Neufeld, producer (to CBS)<ref name="books.google.com"/>
* Allan Lotsberg - host of children's shows as "Willie Ketchum" <ref name="MSP"/>
* ] (to CBS)
* ] - news anchor (1950s–1998; deceased)
* Ann Rubenstein (to NBC)<ref>http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/photo-galleries/2010/11/01/wcco-station-alumni/photo-2043/</ref>
* Bob McNamara (now with CBS)<ref>{{cite news| url=http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-18564_162-524915.html | work=CBS News | title=Bob McNamara}}</ref>
* ] (to CBS)
* Quent Neufeld, producer (later with CBS)<ref name="books.google.com"/>
* ] (later with CBS)
* Ann Rubenstein (later with NBC)<ref>http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/photo-galleries/2010/11/01/wcco-station-alumni/photo-2043/</ref>
* Hal Scott - sports anchor (1960s–1980)<ref name="startribune.com">http://www.startribune.com/obituaries/103681189.html Star-Tribune September 23, 2010</ref>
* Ray Scott - sports (1960s–1970s)<ref name="startribune.com"/>
* ]<ref>{{cite web | url = http://backissues.cjrarchives.org/year/97/2/minneapolis.asp| title = Ruling a Prizewinner Unfair | accessdate = 2007-12-11| year = 1997| last = Oslund| first = John J.}}</ref> news anchor (retired)
* ] (later with CBS)
* ] (to ABC, murdered in Nicaragua in 1979)<ref>http://shamasportsheadliners.com/new-book-mixes-sports-wcco-legacy/</ref><ref>http://www.topix.com/forum/world/nicaragua/TD3JS0HK75RCUPNBC (an unusual source but there is very little documentation of Stewart's tenure at WCCO)</ref> * ] (to ABC, murdered in Nicaragua in 1979)<ref>http://shamasportsheadliners.com/new-book-mixes-sports-wcco-legacy/</ref><ref>http://www.topix.com/forum/world/nicaragua/TD3JS0HK75RCUPNBC (an unusual source but there is very little documentation of Stewart's tenure at WCCO)</ref>
* ] - sports anchor/reporter (now with ])
* ] (to The Weather Channel)
* ] - meteorologist (2005–2006)
* ] (to CBS)
* ] (later with The Weather Channel)
* ] (now with CBS)
{{div col end}}


==References== ==References==
{{Reflist}} {{Reflist|2}}
*{{cite web| url = http://www.mplib.org/history/nm2.asp| title = A History of Minneapolis: Radio and Television| year = 2001| accessdate = 2004-09-25| publisher = Minneapolis Public Library |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20040808083216/http://www.mplib.org/history/nm2.asp <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2004-08-08}}
*{{cite web
*{{cite web| url = http://wcco.com/content/local_story_197124358.html| title = History of WCCO-TV| publisher = WCCO| date = 2003-07-16| accessdate = 2004-09-26}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}<!-- Note: This reference is no longer available at this address. New address as yet unknown. -->
| url = http://www.mplib.org/history/nm2.asp
| title = A History of Minneapolis: Radio and Television
| year = 2001
| accessdate = 2004-09-25
| publisher = Minneapolis Public Library |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20040808083216/http://www.mplib.org/history/nm2.asp <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2004-08-08}}
*{{cite web
| url = http://wcco.com/content/local_story_197124358.html
| title = History of WCCO-TV
| publisher = WCCO
| date = 2003-07-16
| accessdate = 2004-09-26}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}}<!-- Note: This reference is no longer available at this address. New address as yet unknown. -->


==External links== ==External links==
* - Official Website * - Official website
* *
* *

Revision as of 14:34, 16 May 2013

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WCCO-TV, channel 4, is a CBS owned-and-operated television station that is licensed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States and serving the Minneapolis-St. Paul television market. The station is owned by the CBS Television Stations subsidiary of CBS Corporation. WCCO-TV's studios are located in downtown Minneapolis, and its transmitter is located at the Telefarm complex in Shoreview, Minnesota.

History

This section needs expansion with: further information on the history of WCCO-TV, outside of ownership transactions. You can help by adding to it. (May 2013)
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The WCCO building in downtown Minneapolis.

WCCO-TV's roots originate with a radio station, but not one with which it is affiliated today. Radio station WRHM (0000 AM), which signed on the air in 1925, is the station to which WCCO-TV traces its lineage. In 1934, two newspapers – the Minneapolis Tribune and the Saint Paul Pioneer Press-Dispatch – formed a joint venture named "Twin Cities Newspapers", which purchased the radio station and changed its call letters to WTCN. Twin Cities Newspapers later expanded into the then-new medium of television with the launch of WTCN-TV on July 1, 1949 as Minnesota's second television station, broadcasting from the Radio City Theater at 50 South 9th Street in downtown Minneapolis.

When Twin Cities Newspapers sold its radio holdings – WTCN (now WWTC) and WTCN-FM (now KTCZ-FM) – in 1952, it was able to buy the much stronger and dominant WCCO (830 AM). A new company, Midwest Radio and Television, was created to do this, with CBS as a minority partner with the radio station. The call letters of channel 4 were changed to the present WCCO-TV to match its new radio sister (the WTCN-TV call sign would later be picked up by what is now KARE). CBS was forced to sell its minority ownership stake in WCCO radio in 1954 to comply with Federal Communications Commission ownership limits of the time. The network did not own any portion of WCCO-TV until 1992, when it acquired the broadcast holdings of Midwest Radio and Television.

Digital television

Digital channel

Channel Video Aspect PSIP Short Name Programming
4.1 1080i 16:9 WCCO-DT Main WCCO-TV programming / CBS

Analog-to-digital conversion

WCCO-TV shut down its analog signal on June 12, 2009 as part of the digital television transition. The station remained on its pre-transition UHF channel 32, using PSIP to display WCCO's virtual channel as 4, in correspondence to its former analog channel frequency, on digital television receivers.

Satellite stations and translators

WCCO-TV operates two satellite stations northwest of the Twin Cities area:

File:KCCO-KCCW-Logo.jpg
Former KCCO/KCCW logo
Station City of license Channels
(TV / DT) 		First air date Former call letters ERP HAAT Transmitter Coordinates Facility ID Public license
information
KCCO-TV Alexandria 7 (PSIP)
7 (VHF) 		October 8, 1958 KCMT (1958–1987) 29 kW 339.6 m 45°41′10″N 95°8′3″W / 45.68611°N 95.13417°W / 45.68611; -95.13417 (KCCO-TV) 9632 Profile
Template:TVQ
KCCW-TV Walker 12 (PSIP)
12 (VHF) 		January 1, 1964 KNMT (1964–1987) 59 kW 286.4 m 46°56′5″N 94°27′19″W / 46.93472°N 94.45528°W / 46.93472; -94.45528 (KCCW-TV) 9640 Profile
Template:TVQ

Both of these stations were founded by the Central Minnesota Television Company and maintained primary affiliations with NBC and secondary affiliations with ABC from their respective sign-ons until the summer of 1982, when both stations switched to CBS. KCMT had originally broadcast from a studio in Alexandria, with KNMT operating as a satellite station of KCMT. Central Minnesota Television sold both stations to Midwest Radio and Television in 1987, at which point they adopted their present call letters and became semi-satellites of WCCO-TV.

Until 2002, the two stations simulcast WCCO-TV's programming for most of the day, except for separate commercials and inserts placed into channel 4's newscasts. However, in 2002, WCCO-TV ended KCCO/KCCW's local operations and shut down the Alexandria studio, converting the two stations into full-time satellites. Since then, channel 4 has identified as "Minneapolis-St. Paul/Alexandria/Walker", with virtually no on-air evidence that KCCO and KCCW were separate stations.

In addition, the broadcast signal of WCCO-TV is extended by way of six translators in southern Minnesota and one in northern Minnesota; all but one broadcasts in digital:

City of license Callsign Channel
Frost K35IU-D 35
Jackson K35IZ-D 35
Olivia K51AL-D 51
Red Lake K49LO-D 49
Redwood Falls K33LB-D 33
St. James K41IZ-D 41
Willmar K46AC-D 46

News operation

This section needs expansion with: information on the history of WCCO's news department. You can help by adding to it. (May 2013)

WCCO presently broadcasts 28 hours of locally produced newscasts each week (with 4½ hours on weekdays, 3½ hours on Saturdays and two hours on Sundays). In addition, the station produces a half-hour sports highlight program on Sunday evenings after the 10 p.m. newscast called Rosen's Sports Sunday, which is hosted by sports director Mark Rosen.

Since the May 2006 ratings period, WCCO's newscasts have claimed the top spot in total household ratings for most news programs. The exception has been mornings, where KARE still leads all local competitors. In main demographic groups, WCCO usually comes in second place. May 2009 showed a third place finish behind KSTP at 5:00 p.m.

On-air staff

Current on-air staff

WCCO's primary news anchors include Mike Binkley (weekday mornings and weekdays at noon), Matt Brickman (Saturday mornings; also weekday reporter), Liz Collin (weekend evenings; also reporter), Angela Davis (weekday mornings and weekdays at noon), Jason DeRusha (Sundays at 5:30 and 10 p.m.; also "Good Question" feature reporter and occasional general assignment reporter), Edward Moody (Saturdays at 5, 6 and 10 p.m.; also weekday reporter), Esme Murphy (Sunday mornings; also reporter), Amelia Santaniello (weeknights at 5, 6 and 10 p.m.), Frank Vascellaro (weeknights at 5, 6 and 10 p.m.) and Jamie Yuccas (Saturday mornings; also reporter).

The WCCO weather team includes chief meteorologist Chris Shaffer (AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist Seal of Approval; weeknights at 5, 6 and 10 p.m.), meteorologists Mike Augustyniak (AMS Seal of Approval; weekday mornings and weekdays at noon), Lauren Casey (AMS Certified Broadcast Meteorologist Seal of Approval; weekend evenings) and Matt Brickman (weekend mornings; also reporter), and weather watcher Jackson Jordan.

The WCCO sports team includes sports director Mark Rosen (Monday-Thursdays at 5, 6 and 10 and Sundays at 10 p.m.; also host of Rosen's Sports Sunday) and sports anchor Mike Max (Fridays and Saturdays at 5, 6 and 10 and Sundays at 5:30 p.m.). Eric Nelson serves as a fill-in sports anchor, and Dave McCoy serves as a sports reporter and fill-in sports anchor).

The station's general assignment reporters are Aristea Brady, Reg Chapman, Bill Hudson (evening reporter), John Lauritsen, Susan Elizabeth Littlefield, James Schugel (5 and 6 p.m. weekday reporter), Kate Raddatz, Rachel Slavik and Holly Wagner (weekday morning and noon reporter). Specialty reporters are Pat Kessler (political and "Reality Check" feature reporter) and Natalie Nyhus (weekday morning traffic reporter; also fill-in weekday morning anchor).

Notable former on-air staff

  • Jim Anderson - producer (later with CBS)
  • Karen Boros (later with CBS)
  • Jerry Bowen (now with CBS)
  • Clellan Card - children's television personality "Axel" (1954–1966)
  • Bill Carlson - entertainment reporter, midday news anchor (deceased)
  • Christine Clayburg - weekday morning meteorologist
  • Mary Davies - host of children's shows (as "Carmen The Nurse")
  • Andy Dominianni - morning anchor (2002–2004; now evening anchor WWMT-TV in Grand Rapids, Michigan)
  • Paul Douglas - chief meteorologist (1997–2008; now does weather for StarTribune)
  • Sam Ford (to CBS then WJLA-TV, Washington, DC)
  • John Gallos - host of children's shows as "Clancy The Cop" and other characters, host of weekly Laurel & Hardy films program, host of public service programs and staff announcer
  • Tom Hanneman - sports anchor
  • Phil Jones (to CBS)
  • Bud Kraehling - weather anchor/staff announcer (1946–1996)
  • Randi Kaye (now with CNN)
  • Don Kladstrup (later with CBS and ABC)
  • Skip Loescher (now with CNN)
  • Allan Lotsberg - host of children's shows as "Willie Ketchum"
  • Dave Moore - news anchor (1950s–1998; deceased)
  • Bob McNamara (now with CBS)
  • Quent Neufeld, producer (later with CBS)
  • Barry Petersen (later with CBS)
  • Ann Rubenstein (later with NBC)
  • Hal Scott - sports anchor (1960s–1980)
  • Ray Scott - sports (1960s–1970s)
  • Don Shelby news anchor (retired)
  • Susan Spencer (later with CBS)
  • Bill Stewart (to ABC, murdered in Nicaragua in 1979)
  • Michele Tafoya - sports anchor/reporter (now with NBC Sports)
  • Aloha Taylor - meteorologist (2005–2006)
  • Heather Tesch (later with The Weather Channel)
  • Ben Tracy (now with CBS)

References

  1. http://llnw.static.cbslocal.com/station/wcco/community/09_0827_community_WCCOtimeline.pdf Retrieved 2011-7-22
  2. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/CBS+ACQUIRES+TELEVISION+AND+RADIO+STATIONS+FROM+MIDWEST+COMMUNICATIONS-a011880751 Retrieved 2011-8-21
  3. List of Digital Full-Power Stations
  4. "WATR-TV decides to go it alone." Broadcasting, February 22, 1982, pg. 72.
  5. Minnesota State Edition
  6. Washington, D.C. Federal Communications Commission. FCC Record, Vol. 02, No. 22, pp. 6730-6732, Oct 23-Nov. 6, 1987. UNT Digital Library. FCC 87-331 Vol. 22. Accessed June 28, 2012.
  7. http://newsblaze.com/story/2009052113384100004.mwir/topstory.html
  8. ^ WCCO-TV
  9. ^ http://books.google.com/books?id=mPxHBfonthgC&lpg=PA70&ots=PghfvklwAv&dq=quent%20neufeld%20cbs%20wcco&pg=PA70#v=onepage&q=quent%20neufeld%20cbs%20wcco&f=false "Best Seat in the House: Mark Rosen’s Sports Moments and Minnesota Memories" by Mark Rosen, 2012, pages 70-71
  10. http://www.minnpost.com/author/karen-boros
  11. "Jerry Bowen". CBS News.
  12. "WCCO Anchor Bill Carlson Dies At Age 73". 2008-02-29. Archived from the original on 2008-03-03. Retrieved 2008-03-01.
  13. ^ http://en.wikipedia.org/List_of_local_children's_television_series_(United_States)#Minneapolis.2FSt._Paul
  14. http://www.abc7dc.com/talentbios/getbio.cfm?id=8
  15. http://books.google.com/books?id=mPxHBfonthgC&lpg=PA17&pg=PA23#v=onepage&q&f=false "Best Seat in the House: Mark Rosen’s Sports Moments and Minnesota Memories" by Mark Rosen, 2012, page 23
  16. http://www.pavekmuseum.org/Kraehling.htm
  17. "CNN TV - Anchors/Reporters:Randi Kaye".
  18. http://www.startribune.com/printarticle/?id=11407096
  19. http://tcmedianow.com/video/wcco-10pm-report-from-december-6-1983-dave-moore-pat-miles-skip-loescher-mike-fairbourne-mark-rosen/
  20. "Bob McNamara". CBS News.
  21. http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/photo-galleries/2010/11/01/wcco-station-alumni/photo-2043/
  22. ^ http://www.startribune.com/obituaries/103681189.html Star-Tribune September 23, 2010
  23. Oslund, John J. (1997). "Ruling a Prizewinner Unfair". Retrieved 2007-12-11.
  24. http://shamasportsheadliners.com/new-book-mixes-sports-wcco-legacy/
  25. http://www.topix.com/forum/world/nicaragua/TD3JS0HK75RCUPNBC (an unusual source but there is very little documentation of Stewart's tenure at WCCO)

External links

Broadcast television in the Twin Cities region and Central Minnesota
This region includes the following cities: Minneapolis–Saint Paul
Saint Cloud
Alexandria
Redwood Falls
Brainerd
Bemidji
Reception may vary by location and some stations may only be viewable with cable television
Full power
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Outlying areas
ATSC 3.0 digital
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See also
Minnesota TV
Wisconsin TV
Selective TV, Inc.
UHF-TV Inc.
CBS News and Stations
CBS O&O
Independent stations
Other television stations
National news divisionCBS News
Broadcast television stations by affiliation in the state of Minnesota
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Minneapolis–St. Paul market
KTCA-TV 2.1 / KTCI-TV 2.3ATSC 3.0 (St. Paul)
KAWE 9 / KAWB 22 (Bemidji/Brainerd)
KWCM-TV 10 (Appleton)
WHWC 28 (Menomonie, WI)
Duluth market
WDSE 8 / WRPT 31 (Duluth/Hibbing)
Sioux Falls, SD market
KSMN 20 (Worthington)
Fargo–Grand Forks, ND market
KGFE 2 / KFME 13 / KCGE-DT 16 (Grand Forks/Fargo/Crookston)
Rochester–Mason City–Austin market
KSMQ-TV 15 (Austin)
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These stations are owned by Mission Broadcasting but operated by Nexstar under an LMA.
These stations are owned by Londen Media Group but operated by Nexstar under a TBA.
Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery still own a combined 25 percent stake in The CW, however the network is operated entirely by Nexstar.
These stations are owned by Vaughan Media but operated by Nexstar under an LMA.
TelevisaUnivision owns the licenses to these stations but the stations themselves are operated by Entravision Communications (of which the company owns a 10 percent stake) under an LMA.
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